Fantasy Life made Normal

Chapter 40

Marshall was up first with the kids. He sat down in their living room with Malakai and Maverick on the floor. He was laying on his stomach while Malakai crawled on him. Maverick walked over and sat in the middle of Marshall's back, giggling as Marshall groaned.

Madelyn appeared in the doorway. She smiled when she saw them. Marshall hadn't seen her yet. She leaned against the door frame just watching.

"Mommy," Maverick grinned up at her.
"Hi my handsome boy," she smiled.
"Hey mama," Marshall smirked.
"Hey ornery," she chuckled.
"Ornery? Me? Never!"

She laughed as he rolled onto his back and stared at her. Malakai crawled over to him and up on his stomach. Maverick hugged his mother around the legs.

"You ready to see your cousins?" she asked.

Maverick nodded. She smiled. Nate and Ashley arrived later with their kids. The boys all attacked Marshall. He ate up every minute of it. Madelyn stood in the kitchen with Ashley.

"Have you guys decided to have another one?" Ashley asked.
"I think I want to wait a bit," Madelyn said.
"How does Marshall feel about that?"
"With all the chaos that has happened this last year, we haven't really talked about it."

Ashley nodded. Marshall came into the kitchen with their youngest son in his arms. Malakai was fussing about something.

"He fell and bumped his head," Marshall explained.

Madelyn nodded. She took her son when he reached for her. He buried his face in her shoulder. She kissed the side of his head. Malakai had the most attitude out of their two boys. He was always getting mad about something.

"Kai, don't be such a crabby butt," she said.

He grumped about it some more. She shook her head and shifted him.

"Got all your daddy's anger," she joked.

Marshall made a face at her.

"I ain't angry," he said.
"Ok, explain all those diss tracks," she laughed.
"People don't know when to shut up."

She laughed at him.

"I just know I don't want to be on the receiving end of one of those," Ashley said.
"Nah, you ain't pissed me off," he laughed.
"Uncle Marshall, you said a bad word," Audri said.
"Sorry baby girl," he handed her ten bucks.
"Thanks."

She ran off to show her dad. Nate came in the room laughing.

"Buying my kid's silence?" he asked.
"Of course. Can't exactly have her sign a nondisclosure," Marshall laughed.
"Terrible."

They all cracked up. Kim arrived with Whitney and Parker. Debbie wasn't far behind her. Denaun arrived with his family. They were all having a good time. The kids pulled out board games and sat at the table. At 11:30pm, the door opened again. Marshall looked confused for a moment before smiling at his oldest child.

"Hey Laney," he smiled.
"Hey, couldn't bring in the New Year without you guys," she said, hugging everyone.

Hailie and Evan arrived at 11:45PM. It made Marshall happy to have his whole family around them. At midnight he was next to his wife who was holding their sleeping son. It got loud as everyone counted down the last ten seconds. He turned to his wife and kissed her deeply. She grinned. After they broke apart, hugs were passed around the room. Everyone stuck around til about 1 before leaving to head home. Whitney had opted to stay and gone up to her room.

Marshall picked up his sleeping toddler to take him up to his room. Madelyn carried up their youngest. She joined him in their bedroom.

"Babe," she said.
"Sup?" he glanced at her.
"How long do you want to wait to have another one?"
"Figure if it happens, it happens."
"Yeah?"

He nodded. He pulled her out of the bathroom and over to the bed. She yawned.

"Go to sleep babe," he said.
"I love you Marshall," she replied.
"Love you too Madelyn,"

She closed her eyes, knowing their boys would be up early the next day. He held her majority of the night.

She was up with both boys when he woke up. He pulled on sweats and a shirt before heading to the kitchen. She was making waffles. He sat at the island just watching her. She glanced up at him.

"What?" she asked.
"Just trying to figure out how my old ass got so damn lucky," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"I have the best kids and the best woman on the planet."

She chuckled.

"In our feelings this morning, are we?" she asked.
"I might be," he laughed.
"Don't let the guys hear that. They will think the Rap God is losing his touch."
"No way babe. I got this."

She rolled her eyes. Both boys were already chowing down on a waffle. She set a plate in front of Marshall. He grinned.

"Gonna have to run 10 miles after this," he laughed.
"Oh well, eat them," she replied.

He rolled his eyes but began to eat. She made more waffles as Whitney made her way into the kitchen.

"Thanks Mads," she said.
"You're welcome," Madelyn replied.

They enjoyed a mellow New Year's day around the house.